Oops! from Ragan’s PR Daily

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We all make mistakes, but there are some that writers should never make.

Though the casual tone of blogging has allowed us to be less formal with the written word, it doesn’t mean we can simply ignore the fundamental rules of writing and grammar. The occasional typo can be brushed off as an innocent oversight, but there are some writing errors that are just plain unforgivable.

These blunders can ruin your credibility as a writer.

1. Fewer versus less

Unforgivable: There are less days in February than in March.
Correct: There are fewer days in February than in March.

Use fewer when referring to things that can be counted. For example, “She ate fewer cupcakes tonight than she did last night.” Use less when referring to volumes or to things that cannot be counted: “The cupcakes had less frosting yesterday.”

2. Affect versus effect

Unforgivable: Our services will have a positive affect on your business.
Correct: Our services will have a positive effect on your business.

Although affect and effect can each be used as either a noun or a verb, the more common usages are affect as a verb and effect as a noun. In the example above, the effect is the result of the services. In the sentence, “Our services can affect how customers see your business,” affect is to produce an effect upon, or to influence.

3. Pronoun/antecedent disagreement

Unforgivable: If you hire a professional copywriter, make sure they know how to write.
Correct: If you hire a professional copywriter, make sure she knows how to write.

In the above sentences, copywriter is singular. So the pronoun should be singular, as well. Many people avoid gender-specific pronouns, but all too often, that just leads to bad grammar. The correct choices include using “he or she”—pick one and stick to that gender—or using a plural antecedent (which is the noun to which the pronoun refers): “When hiring copywriters, make sure they know how to write.”

4. Misspellings

Unforgivable: Are you on Goggle+?
Correct: Are you on Google+?

Be sure to proofread your work. Misspelling the name of a company, a website or a person is a sign of sheer laziness.

5. It’s versus its

Unforgivable: The pizza became famous for it’s unique flavors and toppings.
Correct: The pizza became famous for its unique flavors and toppings.

This is a common mistake because technically, it’s follows the rule of using an apostrophe to convey possessives (for example, the pizza’s flavor). But an apostrophe is used for the contraction of it is or it has: “It’s the best pizza ever!”

6. Misuse of the semicolon

Unforgivable: I love to write; but I hate using semicolons.
Correct: I love to write; I hate using semicolons.

Semicolons can get confusing. Rather than make an unforgivable mistake, I tend to avoid them whenever possible. Use a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses without a conjunction (the example above), or within a complex series: “I’ve lived in Waukegan, Ill.; Alameda, Calif.; and Bartlett, Tenn.” Do not use a semicolon with a conjunction (and, but, for, or, so, nor, yet).

7. Alot versus a lot

Unforgivable: Alot of people make this mistake.
Correct: A lot of people make this mistake.

Alot is not a word!

8. Inconsistency

Unforgivable: His favorite colors are red, blue, and green. My favorite colors are yellow, purple and pink.
Correct: His favorite colors are red, blue and green. My favorite colors are yellow, purple and pink.

Each of the above sentences is structurally fine, but the top two are inconsistent with each other, because the first sentence uses the Oxford comma and the second does not. Don’t use the Oxford comma in one sentence and leave it out the next. Don’t spell out ten in the first paragraph and write 10 in the last. Writing rules change depending on what style of writing you follow (Chicago Manual or Associated Press), but whichever style you use, be consistent throughout your copy.

9. Poorly cited stats and quotes

Unforgivable: Women make up 97 percent of Pinterest users.
Correct: According to AppData, women make up 97 percent of Pinterest users.

Back up statistics and quotes by letting your readers know where you got the information. If you can, provide a link back to the exact Web page where you found the data. Failure to prove where you got your facts will weaken your content.

10. Then versus than

Unforgivable: I enjoy sitting much better then running.
Correct: I enjoy sitting much better than running.

Than is used for comparisons, although then is used to refer to a point in time or “in addition to.” For example: “Back then, I was strong enough to run a marathon. Now, my legs and lungs are in worse shape than they used to be.”

11. Lose versus Loose

Unforgivable: If you loose your keys again, I’m not letting you in.
Correct: If you lose your keys again, I’m not letting you in.

Lose is a verb, and loose is most commonly used as an adjective. Use loose when referring to something that doesn’t fit or isn’t secure, such as loose pants or loose attachments. Loose can also be used as a verb—for example, “loose a knot”—but in these cases, loosen is a more common word.

12. Stolen content

Unforgivable: Always.
Correct: Never.

This one isn’t really a mistake, but rather just plain wrong. Never steal and use content that isn’t yours and play it off as your own work. Not only is that theft, but it’s also copyright infringement. Write original, informative content, and always proofread your work.

Any common writing mistakes that you think are simply unforgivable?

Jacqui MacKenzie is a writer for Straight North, an Internet marketing Chicago firm that provides social media services, SEO, and more. A version of this story first appeared on the 12 Most blog.

This story first ran on PR Daily in April 2012.

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Tips to Succeed:Making the best impression on your audience

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This is Tip 178 from The ABCs of Strategic Communication. Check it out on www dot larry litwin dot com.

1. Always be prepared – Audiences quickly detect lack of
preparation.
2. Make others comfortable – If you are comfortable, your audience
will be, too. Comfort, on your part as the sender, exudes
confidence.
3. Be committed – Commitment is crucial. Audiences can detect
lack of commitment or sincerity.
4. Be interesting – An interested audience is more apt to receive
your message as it was intended to be received.

Roger Ailes and John Kraushar – Authors – You Are The Message

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Tips to Succeed:Take stock when traveling

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This is Tip 176 from The ABCs of Strategic Communication. Check it out on www dot larry litwin dot com.

Heed this advice:

If you’re preparing to travel here

are thoughts on how to avoid

lost luggage stress.

• Remember to keep valuables,

such as prescriptions, electronics

or jewelry, on you or in a

carry-on bag.

• Have with you, in a carry-on,

whatever you might need to get

through a 24-hour period if your

bags are lost.

• Make a list of what you pack so

if your luggage is lost you can

file a claim more effectively.

Include a good description of

the items.

• Wear clothing suitable for your

trip.

• If traveling on business, dress

appropriately in case the rest of

your items are lost.

 

Make a list of what you pack so

if your luggage is lost you can

file a claim more effectively.

Include a good description of

the items.

• Wear clothing suitable for your

trip.

• If traveling on business, dress

appropriately in case the rest of

your items are lost.

• Check to be certain that you

have an ID tag on the outside

and also put identification

inside your bag.

• If you check luggage, confirm

that the three-letter destination

tags attached to your bags are

actually for your location.

Diana Dratch – www.bankrate.com

 

 

 

 

 

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10 Job Sectors in Decline

 

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From Yahoo! hotjobs

http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/ten-job-sectors-in-decline/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast800

10 Job Sectors in Decline

What to Do If Your Industry Is on the Way Out

By Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

People in almost every profession may feel like jobs are scarce right now. For many industries, this is a temporary situation. But jobs in some fields are expected to continue disappearing even after the economy picks up.

Is your industry on the decline? The federal government projects that a number of industries will continue to lose jobs thru 2018.

“You can’t sit around and wait for news to come out about what’s going to happen to your industry,” said Alexandra Levit, author of New Job, New You. “You have to be proactive about this.”

Disappearing Jobs

Here’s a list of the top 10 industries expected to lose the most jobs by 2018 — and what to do if you’re working in one of them:

  • Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing: Projected to lose 18.6 percent of its 544,000 jobs.
  • Department Stores: Projected to lose 10.2 percent of the 1.56 million jobs they had in 2008.
  • Semiconductor Manufacturing: Projected to lose 33.7 percent of the 432,000 jobs it had in 2008.
  • Postal Service: Projected to lose 13 percent of the 748,000 jobs it had in 2008.
  • Printing and Related Jobs: Projected to lose 16 percent of its 594,000 jobs.
  • Cut-and-Sew Apparel Manufacturing: Projected to lose 57 percent of its 155,000 jobs.
  • Newspaper Publishers: Projected to lose 24.8 percent of its 326,000 jobs.
  • Mining Support Jobs: Projected to lose 23.2 percent of its 328,000 jobs.
  • Gas Stations: Projected to lose 8.9 percent of its 843,000 jobs.
  • Wired Telecom: Projected to lose 11 percent of its 666,000 jobs.

Semiconductors are one of several manufacturing industries on the declining list. Because so many different types of manufacturing jobs are disappearing, it will not be easy to simply get another manufacturing job. You may need to develop some completely new skills.

Levit suggests beefing up your resume with volunteer work so you can show skills that will be applicable in other industries. For example, helping a volunteer organization deal with its members can show that you have client-service skills.

She also recommends being innovative to keep your job. “You need to be front and center with management, giving them suggestions for how they can remain competitive.”

Are You Affected?

What should you do if your industry is on this list? First, don’t panic. The job declines in these industries are projected to take place over a decade. And many jobs — a majority in most of these industries — will remain even after 10 years.

Still, it’s good to start thinking about Plan B. Build your savings and start researching what other industries might be able to use your skills.

If you’re nearing retirement and had been planning to move into a different field, you might want to make the move earlier. And if you have many years of work ahead of you, you should consider seriously whether it’s feasible for you to stay in your industry for the long term.

“Start sharpening your transferable skills,” Levit said. These include project management, budgeting and customer service. “You want to be developing a resume that showcases the skills you have in all those areas.”

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